Art as an educative and social tool

Since remote times, certain sectors of society have been exposed to inequality and vulnerability, where adequate intervention processes have become conspicuous because of their absence. Nowadays, current societies have the responsibility of contributing, based on their experience and knowledge, with more efficient policies and programs that improve the life quality of the most disadvantaged. It is here where art and its different tools play a very important role, not only on a physical level, but also as an education tool that allows the development of emotional, mental and communicative skills. The aim of this paper is to make clear the potential of art as an instrument of social and educational intervention. It starts by showing worldwide-collected experience related to education and arts, and then, it acquaints the reader with two parallel intervention projects that worked with youths under social vulnerability conditions. These interventions were developed based on a qualitative research (Grounded theory), using as methodology “The Artistic Mediation” with emphasis on body language. This methodology helped researchers to get close to the participants and to know their experiences and emotions. At the same time, it was possible to evidence the positive effects of educative interventions through art. These workshops were based on an artistic methodology especially focused on body language. Data in this work is qualitative, and as such, it permits a special approach to the personal and emotional experiences of the participants; clearly showing the positive effects of the referenced practice on them.

Históricamente, determinados sectores sociales como la infancia y la adolescencia en riesgo social han estado expuestos a la desigualdad y la vulnerabilidad. En las sociedades actuales tenemos la responsabilidad de contribuir con nuestros avances y saberes a mejorar las condiciones de vida de estos grupos poblacionales y es allí donde el arte y sus diversas herramientas juegan un papel fundamental, no solo a nivel corporal (visto como un tipo de actividad física) sino también como herramienta educativa en donde es posible desarrollar habilidades emocionales, mentales y comunicativas. Las intervenciones han sido desarrolladas basadas en la investigación cualitativa (Estudio de caso y Teoría fundamentada) utilizando la metodología de la mediación artística, enfocada específicamente en la expresión corporal. Este tipo de investigación permitió la aproximación a las vivencias personales y emocionales de los participantes que, a su vez, permitió evidenciar claramente los efectos positivos de las intervenciones educativas a través del arte.